Chapter 43: Third Sword

"This sword is still more handy than the sword from the Ou family."
The Star Sword has been with Liu Ruiying since his birth and he is extremely familiar with it. The sword from the Ou family was only used to avoid trouble caused by the Star Sword.
Li Yun remained silent and carefully examined the Star Sword in her hand.
Its design was similar to Liu Ruiying's, but with a slight variation in the blade.
Liu Ruiying's Star Sword did not have a blood groove on the blade and appeared to be slightly heavier than Li Yun's.
"Do you still need to ask for my decision?"
With a flick of her wrist, Liu Ruiying extended her arm and pointed her sword at Li Yun's throat.
"Isn't it already obvious?"
Li Yun looked at the sword in Liu Ruiying's hand and spoke.
She thought Liu Ruiying was determined to prevent the restoration of the dynasty, but his current decision was only to kill Li Yun.
However, in the big picture, killing Li Yun and preventing the restoration of the dynasty complement each other and there is no conflict between them.
Liu Ruiying not only wants Li Yun to die, but also wants to prevent the restoration from happening.
The two did not say much more to each other.
For each other, life and death have become tacitly understood things.
There must have been deaths in this "Escaping Cave".
Not only dolls, but also real human beings.
Li Yun still looked confident because although it's called the "Escaping Cave", but it is actually an island!
Her mastery over techniques regarding seawater can be described as achieving twice the results with half the effort!
This is her territory, her home ground.
Just like how Liu Ruiying was born in the Central Inspection Bureau, she was born in the East Sea Cloud Platform, and the sea is the most familiar hometown for her.
Liu Ruiying has experienced the profoundness of the sea, which is even more profound than the land. How many secrets are hidden in it? Perhaps even the people of Donghai Yuntai cannot know them all.
Li Yun, who has been in contact with seawater since she was a child, feels like she has returned home, and the temperature of the water is very familiar, as if she hears a certain call.
Li Yun's figure became blurred again.
Water vapor was steaming around.
However, this time there was no stinky sea smell like before.
Liu Ruiying fixed her gaze firmly, dare not to slack off.
Suddenly, like a seagull, it easily floated up and turned into fierceness, flying towards Liu Ruiying.
Liu Ruiying's heart tightened!
The sword in her hand tightened even more!
Unexpectedly, Li Yun flashed past and went towards the side... Liu Ruiying seized the opportunity and also displayed her agility.
The scenery in front of them became unreal, and the sound of the howling wind seemed to be pouring into their minds.
In the end, Liu Ruiying was faster than Li Yun by a step.
When Li Yun suddenly looked up and saw Liu Ruiying's figure flying at high speed, she quickly made a decision and lowered her body, standing steadily in place.
Liu Ruiying has witnessed her ability to escape.
It must be said that such an ability is truly unfathomable!
When her figure turns into water vapor, if she encounters a sea breeze, her trace cannot be discerned at all.
Even one could say there was no trace left behind!
This time, Liu Ruiying was able to block her path, and luck played a major role in that.
Sometimes luck really is important!
When two people have similar abilities, even a slight tilt in favor of one can immediately determine the winner!
Luck is something beyond human control, otherwise it wouldn't always fall on Liu Ruiying's side instead of hers.
She even suspects that her life is just a preparation for Liu Ruiying.
Whenever she is needed, she will appear once and then disappear.
Without her dominating arrogance, all that’s left is fear.
Liu Ruiying looked at Li Yun proudly.
He won this bet, which shows that luck is currently on his side.
Everyone knows the saying "the fortunes of war change quickly," so we must seize this opportunity while luck is on our side, and use our martial arts skills to pierce our sword into Li Yun's throat.
Li Yun ignores the disdainful look in Liu Ruiying's eyes.
The sword light flickers.
A blue sword energy bursts out from her sword and stabs toward Liu Ruiying.
Liu Ruiying quickly lowers her eyes and avoids looking directly at the sword light.
人的瞳孔在猛然看到极为明亮的东西时，都会不由自主的收缩。当收缩到了一定的极限之后，就会睁不开而流泪。
Just like how children can stare at the sun longer than anyone else.
In the face of Li Yun, Liu Ruiying not only had to rely on his own eyes, but also had to mobilize all his spirit to feel.
Perhaps it is because of the island.
Li Yun's sword light is more brilliant and magnificent than on land!
Liu Ruiying has never seen anyone burst out such sword light at such a close distance!
Because the sword light enveloped not only Liu Ruiying's whole body but also herself.
Immediately afterwards, a meaning that could penetrate the bone marrow came from the sword light!
It seemed to come from the depths of the unchanging and immutable seabed for thousands of years, and it penetrated directly into Liu Ruiying's body, making him instantly stiff and unable to move...
This kind of sword, Liuruiying's first thought was to dodge!
Not because he couldn't resist, but because he couldn't resist.
It is extremely unwise to act rashly before figuring out the details of the opponent's sword.
Not to mention that when Li Yun was in the Taishang River, his sword had endless flowing power because of the water, and it was like a continuous wave that never ceased.
Now both of them are on the sea.
All rivers flow into the sea.
How can a mere water ripple on the Taishang River compare to ocean waves?
Forcing things will never be a long-term solution.
Liu Ruiying has always had a good sense of me.
But now surrounded by this sword light, there is nowhere to hide, only retreat!
Liu Ruiying quickly retreated.
But no matter how fast he retreated, he couldn't match the speed of the sword light!
In the blink of an eye, Liu Ruiying had retreated several yards, but the sword light still remained in its original position, unmoving.
However, this at least indicates that his retreat speed is barely on par with the sword light.
But all of this is within Li Yun's control.
She can make the sword light faster and more magnificent, but she didn't do so.
Because Li Yun feels confident in her ability to win.
She is as calm as an experienced old cat catching a newly-born mouse!
Instead of allowing Jian Guang to quickly pierce Liu Ruiying's chest, she would rather appreciate the look on Liu Ruiying's face in the most extreme despair.
So she stayed hidden behind the sword light, steadily advancing.
Whenever Liu Ruiying retreats one step, she advances one step.
Of course, this is not an endless cycle.
Because soon there is a mountain rock behind him.
Although there is plenty of sunshine on the island, there are still shaded areas.
The rocks in the shaded areas feel extremely cool to the touch. If it were any other time, Liu Ruiying would definitely want to get closer to them and cool off.
Now he's sticking to it as well.
The back is tightly pressed against the rocks.
The coolness that came helped to soothe his weary spirit for a moment.
But it's still far from time to relax.
I am now at the point of no return.
I am trapped by desperation!
Throughout history, there have been few who could find a way out when reaching a dead end.
Those words in this story are just gathering such people together, so it sounds like there are many such people and stories.
What will it be like at that moment? Liu Ruiying thought about it, but never thought that one day she would have such luck to experience it personally.
Now I understand and realize that this feeling is not very good...
It is far from the excitement that was portrayed in the story.
It is even extremely awkward.
Even if Liu Ruiying can still dodge to both sides and change his body posture.
However, the sword light was like a venomous snake spitting out its tongue, staring firmly at him.
Liu Ruiying calculated in his mind and realized that his speed of changing his shape was definitely not faster than the sword light, so he stood still.
"If only this sword light could dim a little bit more..."
he thought to himself.
To his surprise, the sword light actually followed his wish and began to slowly fade away, as if it had run out of energy like an old person lying in bed with all of their strength drained.
According to common sense, Liu Ruiying should have been pierced by the sword light at this time and have no chance of survival.
Such an abrupt turn of events caught him off guard.
Unfortunately, although the sword light was dimmed slightly, Liu Ruiying still could not see Li Yun's face clearly, otherwise perhaps he could analyze the meaning from his expression.
With Li Yun's martial arts cultivation, she has reached the point where everything is just right.
She won't waste a single ounce of strength, nor will she fall short by a single ounce.
The sword light finally dimmed completely, until it dissipated.
李韵的双眼像是两颗冰冷的寒星，充斥着不解和困惑，随即身形速退，和刘睿影之间拉开了距离。
显然方才发生事情极为诡异。
Li Yun naturally wouldn't hold back against Liu Ruiying at the last moment, and it wouldn't make sense for the sword light to dissipate for no reason.
"What did you do?"
Li Yun asked.
Liu Ruiying remained silent.
At that moment, he felt as if something was welling up inside him, which then blocked off Li Yun's sword light.
He tried to recall how this feeling had occurred and what had caused it.
Suddenly, a thin mist enveloped around Liu Ruiying's figure, which he couldn't touch, as if he was in a ethereal state.
"I forgot that you still have this thing on you!"
Li Yun said.
Her tone was tinged with jealousy, but her expression remained calm.
"The Red Silk Robe."
Liu Ruiying said.
He almost immediately remembered the feeling it gave him.
After winning first place in the literary competition, he received several treasures, one of which was the Red Silk Robe. At the time, it was attached to his clothing, leaving no trace of its existence. Because of this, even after all this time, Liu Ruiying still didn't know what its purpose was.
Now it seems that he can save him at a critical moment.
"What about the Purple Ribbon Golden Seal and the Hibiscus Crown? Why not show them all at once?"
Li Yun asked.
Liu Ruiying didn't answer, just smiled lightly.
When the brocade robe was put on just now, he had already felt the weight on his head and the warmth on his chest. It must be the lotus crown, purple ribbon, and golden emblem.
"When the time comes, I will naturally use it. You don't have to worry about it."
Liu Ruiying said.
Li Yun carefully observed the crimson muslin robe that had already shown traces on Liu Ruiying's body, and suddenly a kind of madness spurted out of her eyes!
"These three things have been searched for by the Altar Court for countless years. I didn't expect them to have already fallen into the hands of Liu Jinghao, the Qizhong King. He even renamed them!"
"Are you saying that this is also that dogshit fairy's stuff?"
After examining herself, Liu Ruiying asked back.
Li Yun nodded very reluctantly.
"Sounds good."
Suddenly, Liu Ruiying said,
“What’s good?”
Li Yun frowned and asked.
“There’s no right or wrong to things, whether it’s the bullshit immortal you mentioned, or Tan Ting, or you and me. It depends on who’s using it and how. When I say it’s good, I mean that killing you with the object of your revered immortal isn’t a good thing?”
Liu Ruiying said with a smile.
Li Yun gritted her teeth in anger.
But her eyes still betrayed her desire for the three things that Liu Ruiying possessed.
However, Liu Ruiying did not give her the opportunity to continue with her harsh words.
He almost saw Li Yun's mouth shape about to say the word "death".
Before the word had even been spoken, Liu Ruiying's body had already leapt out.
Li Yun had also taken on the same posture, the same speed, and was facing Liu Ruiying.
Both of them lifted their swords at the same time.
Both of them expected that this strike would be an unbeatable one for the other.
This was Liu Ruiying's first strike, and Li Yun's second.
For a moment, Liu Ruiying felt as if she were back in her childhood, practicing swordsmanship in the Midtown Inspection Bureau.
This sword didn't require too much thinking or planning, as though it flowed out silently from the depths of the heart.
It was this inexplicable sword that made Liu Ruiying feel splendid.
Especially when it was about to break the edge of Li Yun's sword, it exploded brilliantly to the extreme!
But the more radiant the light, the harder it is to sustain.
Like a shooting star, it quickly falls to the earth or the depths of the sea.
People always like to seize that moment to make a wish, or rather, cherish its extremely short-lived brilliance!
When Liu Ruiying began to ponder where her sword should go, this brilliance began to fade.
All the radiance bursts forth from him inadvertently, for it is only then that the sword in his hand can sense the most fundamental and pure power flowing from Liu Ruiying's heart.
If there were bystanders present, they would probably sneer at this sword and consider it to be an empty shell, all bark and no bite.
However, if a knowledgeable spectator like Little Clever were present, they would feel a chill down their spine because they could perceive the extraordinary danger and terror within it.
方才刘睿影进入的那般境地，已经超脱了所有人包括他自己的认知。
Even the most top-notch swordsman needs to contemplate before making their moves.
Only the time for pondering was either long or short.
When you see those who draw their swords and stab without hesitation, it's not because they haven't thought about it, but because they have pondered for a very short time, which makes it seem like they are empty and void!
This kind of emptiness is not a true emptiness!
As long as it goes through the mind, there is a process of thinking and spiritual constraints, which cannot be considered as true emptiness.
Only Liu Ruiying's sword just now is true emptiness!
Without thinking anything, there is no time to think. It quietly flows from the bottom of the heart, unnoticed by anyone, including oneself. It flows from the heart to the arm and then to the sword in the hand, and then thrusts out.
Liu Ruiying and Li Yun did not have an audience.
However, Li Yun was still able to perceive danger from Liu Ruiying's previous sword.
She had not yet made Liu Ruiying experience the despair before death, but she had already realized this feeling from Liu Ruiying's sword just now.
Two figures intermingled, almost standing shoulder to shoulder.
Li Yun looked up with his mouth wide open, breathing quickly, as if someone was going to steal all the air in front of him.
Liu Ruiying, on the other hand, had his eyes closed and was still immersed in the "void" of the previous sword.
Opening her eyes again, Li Yun found herself face to face with herself.
Her body did not move, but her pupils trembled uncontrollably!
The sword in her hand was held sideways against her chest.
As for the Star Sword, she was confident that she was more familiar with it than Liu Ruiying. However, the sword Liu Ruiying had just shown her seemed extremely unfamiliar... unfamiliar, as if she had never seen it or held it before.
It seems that this shouldn't be hers, but rather something that Liu Ruiying left in her hands and would inevitably take back.
The feeling became stronger and stronger, and Li Yun clenched her sword hand tighter and tighter.
However, the consequence of exerting too much force is that besides her pupils, her right hand also begins to tremble, which in turn affects her entire arm, and then her body.
Moreover, holding the sword horizontally across her chest is not the posture for drawing the sword.
But it was a defensive posture!
Li Yun has begun to fear Liu Ruiying.
She is afraid of his "empty" state just now, and the "empty" sword in his hand.
If it weren't for the short time just now, Li Yun knew she would definitely be lying on the ground now, with her throat pierced.
He died suddenly without even a whimper.
No one is ever prepared for death.
Or perhaps, no matter how much preparation one makes, it ultimately proves futile in truly understanding the finality of death.
A deep sense of helplessness and despair swept through Li Yun's body.
She could only grip her sword even tighter in order to resist this feeling of hopelessness.
But at the same time, she knew very well that she had already lost...
Liu Rui stood calmly opposite him.
The tip of his sword hung down, exposing his entire body to Li Yun, appearing completely unguarded.
But in this nonchalance and lack of guard, it was even more dangerous than the most complex and deadly fights in the world!
Li Yun adjusted her posture a bit.
她的右臂微微低了三寸，左肩抬高了两寸，右脚也旁侧横跨出了半步。
简单的三个提哦啊正，却蕴含了无穷无尽的和杀意。
低了三寸的右臂在牢牢护住自己的前胸时，进可攻，退可守。以这个角度用力斩出，剑锋会在半空中划出一道漂亮到几乎完美的弧线。
这道弧线的尽头就是刘睿影的咽喉。
力道足以把他整个脑袋都从脖子上砍下来。
和只刺破咽喉相比，这样杀人有些不雅，但却最为彻底！
对于刘睿影这样的敌人，李韵即便是把他的脑袋砍下来也不能安心，非得千刀万剐，剁成肉泥才行！
左肩高耸起来的两寸，为的是出拳纵掌。
李韵算准自己这一剑出，刘睿影定然会后仰身子躲避。这时只要她一掌跟进，刘睿影朝后倾倒的腰部没有任何应对的余地，只得硬生生受着。
同时她的右腿也拉开阵势，在刘睿影腰部中了一掌后，右脚径直踢向他的下盘。
若是都能按照她所想一般，只要剑锋再轻轻一松，刘睿影就会自己撞上来，从前胸刺入，把他的心脏搅的稀碎！
为什么李韵会如此布置却依旧不敢有所动作？
因为刘睿影现在看似全身上下都是要害，实则让李韵难以取舍……
要害太多，反倒是能无坚不摧。
就在这时，刘睿影却走到一旁，拿起地上的水壶，悠哉悠哉的拧开壶盖，喝起水来。
刘睿影明明已经被李韵的剑势所控制，但他的动作却极为连贯。
还不等李韵做出反应，他已经咽下了三扣税。
仰脖喝水的刘睿影，身上的要害暴露的更多，更大，让李韵更容易得手。
越是到紧迫的地步，李韵却越是不相信自己……不相信自己的眼睛所看到的，耳朵听到的，就连精神中一直催促着她出手的正确判断，此刻都觉得是大错特错！
这一剑出，便是她的第三剑，也是必杀之剑！
刘睿影在喝玩第五口水时，水壶倾斜的角度慢慢低下来。
李韵本想是在他彻底喝完水时出手。
因为放下水壶，重新拧紧壶盖的时候，是她最好的机会。
在这种情况下，刘睿影必须要在水壶和出剑中做一个选择。
这个选择很容易，容易到傻子都明白应该出剑。
但即使在容易的选择都需要时间。
Unless...
李韵在赌。
这次的赌可不是酒肆赌坊中摇骰子的游戏。
而是薄命！
她赌刘睿影方才那一剑之“空”只是凑巧。
赌刘睿影决然无法再现方才那“空”的一剑。
这话听起来没什么区别，实则是将所有的生命都关注在这一次决定之中！
恐惧有时候可以让人害怕到下投降，也能让人不顾一切的去疯狂。
刘睿影越发的淡定自得，李韵就越是恐惧……
哪怕她知道自己不该出剑，却还是忍不住在水壶刚刚离开刘睿影的唇边时出出剑了！
这一剑裹挟着东海之力。
顷刻间，整个海岛的大地都开始轻微的震荡。
轰隆的雷声不是从天而降，而是从海底喷涌而出，化成一条通天彻地的水龙，将画面陡然升高了一丈有余。
李韵的剑意更盛！
水这样的至柔之物，在此刻已然变成了摧枯拉朽的存在。
无论刘睿影还有什么后招，亦或是他此刻的淡定只是空架子，李韵都再无须思考。
她要用这把剑所带起的水势，勾连天地伟力，将刘睿影彻底摧毁，连身上的布片都不会剩下……
水幕一层层迭起，大口大口的把这逍遥窟的陆地吞吃下去。
李韵站在最高处，她的身影在刘睿影眼中已经变得很小。
如此高的水幕，若是扑将下来，根本不需要李韵再行出剑，就能将刘睿影压成一滩血沫。
但刘睿影还在不紧不慢的拧这水壶的盖子。
这盖子须得三圈半才能拧紧。
第三圈刚到！
李韵双手压住剑柄，身形前倾，自上而下，引着如山般层层叠叠的水幕压了下来。
壶盖拧完了最后半圈。
在水壶落地的时候，一道极细极快的剑光穿透水幕而出。
这道剑光比光更快，更灿烂，又比这世上最细的丝线还要纤细。
可就是这样一道纤细柔弱，看上去毫无气力的剑光在穿透水幕之后，竟是让这股磅礴的自然伟力瞬间崩塌！
水幕在空中碎成一块块，碧绿和湛蓝相互交织在一起。
在随后一块水幕落地后，就像是一块翡翠被距离砸的稀烂。
一片猩红附在水面的泡沫上，反射的阳光，都带着淡淡的粉色。
刘睿影任凭水幕冲刷了自己的身体。
这样的水，和普通的海浪已经没有任何区别。
待水幕彻底落尽又退却后，他走到了那片反射着淡粉色光芒的地方。
水打起的泡沫在消失的速度很快。
腥红的泡沫在刘睿影还未靠近时，就只剩下了猩红！
一柄染满了鲜血的星剑插在地上，入土刚好一尺，若是伏地了身子看去，像极了墓碑的模样。